Benchmarking is a Reference Point
Walter Berns, Strategy Consultant, United States

The way I see it, benchmarking is a reference point that is used as a comparison to everything that follows. If there is a new process in manufacturing and an audit it to be administered, then the first one becomes the benchmark to where all others are compared. In addition, when a benchmark is to be set you should make sure that whatever it is has the desired outcome. If a process is put into place for the first time the outcome is mere theory. Therefore, until the planned results occur then and only then can a reference point be applicable i.e. the benchmark. As for Sun Tsu also said, "To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.

Benchmarking is Similar to a Role ModelSahal, Manager, Sri LankaBenchmarking is comparing how an organization performs a "specific activity" (comparing apples to apples) with a method of a competitor or some other doing the same thing in a way to identify the best practice such as lowering cost, reducing defects (zero defects), increasing quality etc. This is something similar to a role model on an individual capacity.

Benchmarking is Just a ToolManuel Duarte Silva, PortugalLearn, clean and control each one of your tools and use them always according to purpose they were designed. Benchmarking is only a tool of management practice. Donít be happy with your tools but, with the effective results of using them.